Drying Out The Back Of The Truck Cab

[Dix]

The back vent window was left open, and we had one helluva T-storm, complete with nasty rain :-/

I shop vacced the interior, pulled everything out of the cab (rugs, snow brushed, jumper cables, atlas, etc..atlas was soaked, don't know if it will live), to suck up the water, and I've had the truck open and airing out when ever I can. But it's taking forever to dry. Looks like I might have water stains on the back bench seat when all is said & done >:-(

I've been applying a vinegar/watered down spray to help eliminate odors, and drove the truck around all weekend with all the windows open (seemed to help the drying process, alot), but with the humidity, and not being home during the day, I dunno how long before I can get the inside completely dry. I drive a work van during the week, so the truck sits at home.

I have one of those "green machines". Will that help with the water stains on the back bench?

Thoughts appreciated, and it's the last time I let some one else pick up the truck from the shop, and tell me it's all secure and closed, with out checking it myself. You'd think an MP would have a clue :bug:

 

[woodsman23]

Turn on the AC full and close the doors the low humidty will allow faster drying time. park in shade when doing this.

 

[mayhem]

^^ Good suggestion. AC is basically a dehumidifier. Make sure to turn on the recirculator and just let it run. It owuld be handy to stick a hygrometer in there to measure the humidity.

Sounds funny, but a tub of uncooked white rice will soak up a huge volume of water. Fill a broad tupperware with the cheapest, non-microwavable white rice you can get and park the truck int he sun with the windows rolled up. The heat in the cab will vaporize most of the moisture and the rice will suck it right out of the air. You may need to do more than one treatment. Let it sit for a day at a time and change the rice out.

Also works well if you srop your cell phone in the water...put it in a ziplock baggie half full of uncooked rice and set it on a windowsill.

You could also jsut get a pile of those dessicant baggies that come in most pacakging these days or even just put some kitty litter in there.

 

[KevinM]

You can buy chemical dehumidifiers such as http://www.drizair.com/ . Some of them leave the desiccant as a solid others turn into a thick syrup. The solid ones can be easily dried out and re-used.

Good luck I remember having to shovel snow out of the back of a suburban when the back window was left open over night. Fortunately it had an auxillary heater in the back which dried it out fairly quickly.

Leaving two windows cracked open parked in the sun works but with the rain so far this summer is risky but cheap.

Kevin.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Can you run a dehumidifier out there with an extention cord? (I know this is technically a no no to run an appliance of a cord, but you gotta get that nice FORD back up to par)

 

[JeffRey30747]

If you are left with a few water stains on the upholstery that you want to camoflage, you can spray scotchguard over the whole surface. There are a few caveats, however. Any stains that are still there after treatment may not come out, period. Everything will look a little darker after the treatment dries. You may have to spray other upholstery for everything to "match". Plus it will have a nice chemical "stink" for a week or so. I have found that this method works fairly well with most clear water or oil based stains.

 

[Stephen in SoKY]

I use this often & it works well: http://www.damprid.com/

 

[Dix]

Thanks guys for the ideas

Most of it is drier, but the seat corners & the middle of the back rest are still W-E-T. The rug is still dampish as well. I'll run a fan out there when I am home, and try to clean the seats with spray upholstery cleaner. Gotta take the puppy to the vet tomorrow, so I'll run the AC to & fro ( 40 minute drive each way).

Worse comes to worse, I guess I can get covers for the back seat. Never got around to that.

 

[Flatbedford]

It's been pretty hard to get anything dry here in NY this summer. Heat to vaporize the water and some kind of ventalation to get the humid air out. Good luck with it. If it were a real truck, it would have vinyl seats and a rubber floor mat. There would be nothing in there to be wet! :lol:

My '70 F350